ManuscriptsPersian16th century

Zulaykha Looks at Yusuf’s Prison with A Sorrowful Heart (painting recto; text verso of folio 100); illustrated folio from a manuscript of Yusuf and Zulaykha by Nizami

16th century

Description

The manuscript opens with an illuminated sarlawh (heading) above the text. The margins of the double-page frontispiece are decorated with gold floral drawings and large illuminated cartouches. The text is copied in nastaʿliq in two columns and 15 lines on gold sprinkled paper. The text panels are remargined on various colored papers. There are ten paintings. The dark and reddish brown leather binding is decorated with a gilt-stamped inlaid center and corner pieces and cartouches on the border. The edges have been repaired at some point. The inside covers are plain olive green leather.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

Culture

Persian

Period

Shaybanid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

27.5 x 17 cm (10 13/16 x 6 11/16 in.)

Provenance

Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, Geneva, Switzerland (by 2014), by descent; to her son Abolala Soudavar, Houston, Texas (2014), loan; to Harvard Art Museums, 2015. Note: Ezzat-Malek Soudavar (1913-2014) formed this collection over a period of sixty years. She purchased the works of art on the international art market.